Fashion Era

Wednesday, 5 March 2014

Plans for giant 220 acre Deeside solar park submitted

Solar farm would support 500 jobs in the construction phase and 27 permanent roles

Solar farm proposed for Deeside

PLANS for a giant solar park on Deeside that would support 500 construction jobs have been submitted.

An application for planning permission has been submitted by Pegasus Group, on behalf of Atem Solar Ltd, to Flintshire Council for the installation of a 45MW solar park, located north of the A548, Weighbridge Road, opposite Deeside Industrial Estate.

The proposed solar park constitutes the installation and operation of photovoltaic (PV) panels.

It is anticipated that the proposed solar park will generate up to 45,000 MWh of power annually, equating to the annual energy consumption of approximately 11,000 households and reduce Co2 emissions. The park would have around 180,000 solar panels on 220 acres.

If approved, Atem Solar Ltd would provide £1.25m toward local skills and training schemes that target young people in the local community.

Also, the proposal will support up to 500 jobs during the construction phase and create a further 27 direct employment positions, post construction. It is hoped that construction will start in summer 2014.

Key issues will include visual impact, site security and ecological impact.

Fears have previously been raised on the potential impact on fertile farmland in the area, one of the main leek growing areas of Wales.

Full assessments have been carried out by qualified professionals and the reports were submitted alongside the planning application. Atem Solar Ltd are also proposing to implement a planting and biodiversity management plan around the solar arrays to include measures to ensure a richer habitat for wildlife.

Atem Solar Ltd is developing solar energy sites across Wales and the rest of the UK.